That's Showbiz

Album: It's Martini Time (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is from the trio's 1996 album, It's Martini Time, released on Interscope Records. It marks the first album with drummer Scott Churilla, who was replacing Taz Bentley.
  • The song plays out with The Reverend Horton Heat delivering the lyrics in a smooth Tom Waits style delivery. There is no verse. There is no chorus. There is no singing. It's performance art of the spoken word with brief musical interludes allowing for short pauses between spoken thoughts. "The Rev" tells it best, explaining in a 2013 Songfacts interview: "Quite honestly, I dreamed the song. I dreamed the whole song from start to finish. It woke me up at four in the morning. I'd dreamed about some kind of MC at some really crappy little lounge bar, like a little old-style cabaret or lounge or strip bar, some kind of seedy little place where they had this MC guy. It is kind of a long recitation, more than a song; it's me talking"

    You can envision Reverend Horton standing in a dimly lit smoke filled room telling the audience his story. It's a story intimate to him and can only be told from his memories of a life on the road. The characters he met along the way and the towns he has rolled through. The dues he has paid. With a final sarcastic tip of the hat to "you, the little people, I would not be where I am today."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?